Selective reservoir withdrawal system

ABSTRACT

The invention is a water withdrawal system from a reservoir, as in a dam, for example, with a selectively adjustable withdrawal, or discharge intake, point at its core, with that intake point capable of being moved in two or three dimensions within the body of water. The invention meets the need to benefit aquatic biota by changing downstream river characteristics, such as water temperature, total dissolved gas, and mitigation of air entrainment, through obtaining the water at a specific spatial location in the upstream body of upstream water from which the downstream water is obtained, or by adjusting the characteristics of the water while it is in transit to the downstream discharge. Components may include an intake system which preferably ensures the ability to withdraw water from any location and at any depth within the body of water, like, for example, a platform (which may be either mobile or stationary), a robot arm, an intake grid system, a rail-guided intake positioning mechanism, a servocraft, or an underwater cable mechanism, components also include a water transport system, and a discharge location. System design incorporates portability, both within the body of water, and between bodies of water.

[0001] This application claims priority from, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/220,401, filed on Jul. 24, 2000, entitled “Selective Reservoir Withdrawal System,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to water storage and transport. More specifically, this invention relates to dams, lakes, and reservoirs, and to water storage therein and water withdrawal and transport therefrom, encompassing a system for selecting and moving water from a specific location in the reservoir with specific characteristics for discharge downstream for a specific purpose (such as temperature control) or for desired changes within the reservoir.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] No prior patents that relate to selective water withdrawal systems from reservoirs could be located.

[0006] Two temperature control device embodiments are currently in use for selective water withdrawal—one using a louvered system, the other using a HYPALON™ curtain. Two others that are known to applicants are in the prototype stage—a bay bulkhead concept and a cylindrical bulkhead concept. All of these current devices are designed to capture and channel water from immediately upstream of the dam impounding the reservoir. These devices appear to be in the public domain, with predominant applications at federal and state hydro facilities.

[0007] Also, self-elevating platform drilling rigs are employed by the oil industry in the form of mobile offshore units; other applications include water supply cribs, construction coffer dams, caissons and abutments. None of these technologies described above are currently used for dam outlet control, including temperature control device applications, other than those devices mentioned above which are directly adjacent to dam structures in relatively fixed arrays. Thus, there remains a need for an economical and more efficient selectively adjustable water withdrawal system from a reservoir.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The objective of the invention is to provide a system with the capability for high-capacity water transport selectively withdrawn from desired specific spatial locations with desired specific characteristics (such as a certain temperature) within a body of water (given variable depth, North-South, and East-West coordinates) to another body of water, for the purpose of effecting desired changes at the discharge point (such as higher or lower downstream temperature, dissolved gases, sedimentation, other water quality considerations, or transport of aquatic biota), or to effect desired changes in the other body of water. The core of the invention is a selectively adjustable withdrawal, or discharge intake, point. The invention will meet the need for benefitting aquatic biota by changing downstream river characteristics, such as water temperature, total dissolved gas(es), and mitigation of air entrainment, through obtaining the optimum discharge water at a specific spatial location in the body of water from which the downstream water is obtained (Alternative A), or by adjusting the characteristics of the water while it is in transit to the downstream discharge (Alternative B).

[0009] Failure to change downstream river characteristics may result in damage to the environment, additional difficulty in restoration of native fisheries, continued difficulties with body of water health, loss of recreation potential, negative impact on local economics, and loss of power production. Therefore, additional uses of the system are aquatic biota passage and influencing of water quality and other characteristics within the reservoir body of water as well as the other, downstream, body of water for such things as environmental rededication and accidental chemical spills. Up-stream fluid dynamics and thus up-stream ecology can also be affected. The same may be said for downstream fluid dynamics and ecology.

[0010] Components to both Alternatives A and B may include an intake system that will ensure the ability to withdraw water from any location and at any depth within the upstream body of water in which the unit is installed, with relatively short set-up time, including, for example, a platform (which may be either mobile or stationary), a robot arm, an intake grid system, a rail-guided intake positioning mechanism, a servocraft, or an underwater cable mechanism. The intake system may comprise an intake point(s) that is(are) located in or movable to various locations in a one-dimensional space, in a two-dimensional space, or in a three-dimensional space. For example, the intake point may be movable along a line (one dimension), on a vertical or horizontal plane (two dimensions), or in a volume of the reservoir (three dimensions).

[0011] Both Alternatives A and B also include a water transport system, and a discharge location. While the immediate application of the invention is throughout the U.S., the system has applicability in other parts of the world. The invention will work with any dam structure or configuration. For bodies of water where ice or other conditions warrant removal or repositioning of the intake system for seasonal durations, the design incorporates portability, both within the body of water, and between bodies of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1. is a schematic side-view diagram of one embodiment of a selective water withdrawal system according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2. is a schematic top-view diagram of a wicket gate, with a top- and side-views of a wicket arm mechanism, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3. is a schematic side- and top-view diagram of a tube and flapper array, with a side-view of a cutaway of the intake tube, a top-view of the inside of the tube with the flapper closed, and a top-view of the inside of the tube with the flapper open, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 4. is a schematic back- and side-view diagram of an intake grid system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 5. is a schematic front-view diagram of a rail-guided selectively adjustable system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 6. is a schematic front-view diagram of a servocraft-positioned selectively adjustable system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Referring to the Figures, there are depicted several, but not all, embodiments of the present invention. Major features of several embodiments of the invention are depicted in the Figures, and described below.

[0019] In FIG. 1, there is depicted an overview of one embodiment of a selective water withdrawal system according to the present invention. The selectively adjustable discharge intake point, the core of this invention, is depicted, using a relatively fixed platform, although other more mobile embodiments for the intake point (e.g. using servocraft positioning) are also included. Being able to move that intake point in three dimensions, and thus provide for discharge from this highly mobile source, is a key concept for the invention.

[0020] The platform as currently envisioned is a predominantly metal or composite structure with multiple (i.e. 4-5) legs for stability, with a range of possible height and width parameters. The legs can be temporarily or permanently anchored using retention cables, boulders, crushed rock, concrete, or any other suitable material, or can at their lower terminus be permanently affixed to hollow cylinders, which can then be flooded for temporary ballast. The platform can be floated, portable, and fully mobile within the body of water; it is therefore capable of surviving and being fully operational in high-water events and in projects to increase dam height. It can be transported and flooded in position with minimal impact on body of water operations (this precludes having to shut down operation of the turbine(s) or to drain the body of water, in order to install the platform). The units can be sized and can be modular, depending on the application and the size and depth of the body of water. The unit can also be disassembled, moved to a different body of water, and reassembled. The intake tube (see below) is positioned within the legs of the platform. Conceivably, the platform may never need to be above the body of water level; the option of a submersible platform below the intake level will solve some potential aesthetics issues (although this may compound public safety considerations, requiring buoys and rope arrangements).

[0021] The main water intake tube depicted is preferably rigid, primarily of metal or composite, of a diameter consistent with desired maximum flow, and will be positioned within the legs of the platform, using a guideway arrangement. The tube design uses gravity flow, and may incorporate submersible pumps to facilitate water transport. It incorporates extensions (e.g. robotic arms) fabricated of flexible yet robust material, with flotation devices to target and capture discrete layers of water at a distance from the platform location, together with a hydraulic control system. The design also incorporates multiple intake extensions of smaller capacity, each able to target specific water layers in different locations and combine their loads for larger processing volumes. Pipe-within-pipe arrangements facilitate siphoning and custom shaping of flows. The design incorporates temperature and other sensors, and has the capability to make minor real-time adjustment in intake location based on readings from those sensors. Trash racks are useful to screen out major floating and sub-surface materials, and screening devices are incorporated at the intake point to eliminate or promote intake of biota, sand, and silt.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, one embodiment of the design incorporates wicket gates or flood doors, including a valve opening, a valve to flood the main tube at the bottom, and a mechanism to regulate the inflow of water when the tube is filled. Appropriate warning and safety apparatuses are incorporated into the intake design.

[0023] In FIG. 1, the transport tube conveys the water from the platform intake tube to the discharge point. The transport tube may vary in length from a few hundred yards to tens of miles (with the ability to quickly bypass large higher-temperature pools of serial bodies of water), and in diameter depending upon the performance parameters and the discharge point. It may be positioned above the level of the body of water (in the ambient air), or below the water surface in the body of water (using the pool as a natural insulator, and possibly providing additional concealment and shelter for aquatic life). The transport tube may be reinforced as necessary to prevent collapse from hydrostatic pressure or rupture from water weight.

[0024] As depicted in FIG. 1, the discharge point is at the intake to the turbine of the dam's hydro facility for electrical generation, but it can also be downstream of the hydro facility (e.g. at the spill gate on the spillway or into the tailrace, to bypass turbines). The system also provides a choice of discharge options, including a blending, to be determined in real-time based on desired discharge characteristics. Discharge can be for land applications, or into containers, receptacles, truck beds, etc. for materials undesirable for downstream discharge. Filters can be used while the water is in transit. In addition, discharge at various heights provides aeration.

[0025] An alternative configuration (Alternative B) of the invention obviates the need for lengthy transport tubes with the likelihood of increased thermal effects of conveying the water through miles of body of water or through ambient air. This alternative configuration uses a platform/intake tube system in the immediate vicinity of the most downstream hydropower facility, and the application of a heat extractor to produce cooler water at the point of discharge (which might be downstream of the hydro facility or at the intake point for the turbine). This approach is less expensive to design, build, and maintain, but results in higher operating costs, and carries the danger of a coolant fluid leak. The same features (concerning dissolved oxygen, total dissolved gas, anti-cavitation) are be incorporated.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, an intake grid system using intake panels that can be individually controlled to open and close also provides selective intake.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible intake and transport tube intake can be of varying lengths and is positioned at any location and depth within the reservoir using a rail-guided cable system. Selective positioning of the intake point is also achieved by employment of a servocraft as depicted in FIG. 6.

[0028] The system and its components may have alternative or related uses. For example, the system is fitted to employ a siphon or vacuum arrangement to extract sand, gravel and other accumulated sediment, with the potential benefit in obtaining graded fill for projects near the body of water. A filtration system is employed to remove from the body of water nutrients and contaminants, or perhaps resulting bloom and algae, unwanted biota and sedimentation; so that the body of water is healthier. With appropriate pumping arrangements, the platform system (including its extension) is also useful for domestic or irrigation water use, for targeted fire suppression and for high-volume water loading on tankers, and to draw out and circulate water for the heating and cooling of buildings in proximity to the body of water. The heat exchanger arrangement provides its thermal by-product to heat or cool visitor lodges and other facilities. The portion of the platform above the water line has recreational uses, such as anchors for slides and stairs. The public-access portion of the platform and related lighting system is available at night for rental by private parties; during the day, the public-access portion of the platform is available for boat docking, boat and skier facilities, refueling, and other uses. A concession license for some or all of these recreational uses may also provide revenue.

[0029] Although this invention has been described above with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the scope of the following claims. 

What we claim is:
 1. A selective water reservoir withdrawal system comprising: a selectively-adjustable water-discharge intake point within said water reservoir; and said intake point being adapted to withdraw water from said reservoir at desired specific spatial locations; wherein said intake point is operatively connected to a water transport system and a discharge location.
 2. The withdrawal system of claim 1 wherein the adjustable intake point is movable in one dimension.
 3. The withdrawal system of claim 1 wherein the adjustable intake point is movable in two dimensions.
 4. The withdrawal system of claim 1 wherein the adjustable intake point is movable in three dimensions.
 5. The withdrawal system of claim 1 wherein the adjustable intake point is within a fixed structure within said reservoir.
 6. The withdrawal system of claim 1 wherein the adjustable intake point is movable within said reservoir.
 7. The withdrawal system of claim 5 wherein the fixed structure is a vertical crib with selectable wicket gates.
 8. The withdrawal system of claim 5 wherein the fixed structure comprises a plurality of selectively openable/closable intake panels in the up-stream surface of a dam.
 9. The withdrawal system of claim 6 wherein the intake point is the opening of a transport tube moved by a cable suspended above the surface of the reservoir.
 10. The withdrawal system of claim 6 wherein the intake point is the opening of a transport tube moved by a servocraft floating on the surface of the reservoir.
 11. A selective water reservoir withdrawal system comprising: a selectively-adjustable water-discharge intake device within said water reservoir; and said intake device being adapted to withdraw water from said reservoir at desired specific spatial locations; a water transport system operatively and fluidly connected to said intake device and operatively and fluidly connected to a discharge location; and wherein the water transport system comprises a water treatment system for treating or conditioning the water.
 12. A withdrawal system as in claim 11 wherein said water treatment system comprises a filtration system.
 13. A withdrawal system as in claim 11 wherein said water treatment system comprises an aeration system.
 14. A withdrawal system as in claim 11 wherein said water treatment system comprises a water cooling system.
 15. A withdrawal system as in claim 11 wherein said water treatment system comprises a bacteria-removal system.
 16. A withdrawal system as in claim 11 wherein said water transport system comprises a fish addition system.
 17. A withdrawal system as in claim 11 wherein said water transport system comprises a fish removal system. 